Page 96 of Addicted

“Again, the plan is to bring your aunt - Ms. Harris - and Laurence Barton in here and we’ll witness their attempt to have you sign over the account.” The detective opened the briefcase at his feet and took out a few folders, laying them on the desk. “All you’ll need to do is act like everything is normal and that you’re fine with the process. We’ll try to get Harris and Barton’s signatures first. But if they don’t sign-”

The door opened and Ms. Chauhan entered the room with a smile on her face and a devious twinkle in her eye.

“And here is theassistant managerof our bank,“ Detective Richardson smirked.

“Hello, David. Liam, how are you holding up?” She patted him on the shoulder and then took the seat beside him.

“Fine.” Liam puffed his cheeks out in a sigh. “A little nervous.”

“That’s to be expected.” She patted him again. She was in another smart pantsuit and statement necklace, her hair pulled back elegantly. Liam wondered if she’d ever looked disheveled.

Detective Richardson cleared his throat. “I was just letting Liam know that if they don’t sign the papers it isn’t the end of the world. We still have enough to arrest Harris.”

Ms. Chauhan had been right. Liam was one of Diane’s many victims. She had a warrant out in one state for writing bad checks and another for identity theft. As long as she avoided those places it wasn’t something she’d be hunted down for unless she screwed over her nephew and he hired a ruthlessly intelligent lawyer with friends in high places to shine a spotlight on her crimes.

“Where is the real manager? And assistant?” Liam wondered aloud.

“In the back, watching through the security cameras. They’re terribly excited about the entire event and have been calling it an undercover stakeout.” She smoothed down the front of her jacket.

Richardson’s lips twitched. “This isn’t anything close to a stakeout.”

“But we’re undercover.” The light banter between Chauhan and Richardson began to ease Liam’s nerves.

“Technicallywe are. But it’s not like we’re trying to bring down a crime syndicate. This is a favor for the DA.”

“Speaking of which, our wonderful District Attorney Martinez isso veryinterested in Barton’s activities that he called the president of the bar association himself.“ Ms. Chauhan laced her fingers together, putting her hands in her lap. “They’re going to want to meet with Laurenceimmediately.”

“That’s great news.” The detective took a laptop out of the briefcase and booted it up. “We’ll have everyone here as witnesses and there is a security camera here.” He pointed up at what Liam had assumed was a smoke detector. “And another camera here.” He tapped his pen above the laptop’s webcam.

Ms. Chauhan’s eyes shifted to Liam’s right, staring out into the bank. “It looks like they’ve arrived. Right on time.”

Liam thought he’d have a reaction when he saw his aunt and Laurence again but it wasn’t the one he’d expected. As he turned and took them in, it wasn’t anxiety or apprehension that flooded his body, it was anger. Anger for what they stole from him, for how they took advantage of him, for how they ruined everything his parents had worked so hard for, and for the years they’d taken from his life. And there was also a little fury that Aunt Diane looked like his mother, that she was allowed to go around resembling someone who’d been so kind, so gracious and gentle.

But she was like Lilly Gray’s evil twin for the expression she wore was never one Liam had ever seen on his mother’s face. Diane constantly looked like she’d smelled something offensive and that hadn’t changed. Laurence was as put-together as ever, stiff and striking with an energy that made Liam uncomfortable even through a glass wall. He didn’t remember the man’s aura being so slimy but the shock and grief of his parents’ death had probably buffered it. Looking at him now, with clear eyes, Liam knew why Owen had been suspicious.

Ms. Chauhan went out to greet them and Liam stood as they entered the office. A normal aunt would have probably hugged him, especially if she were his last remaining family, but Diane only nodded, looking him up and down.

“It’s good to see you again, Liam.” Her voice told him it was not. “You look well. I guess you didn’t have time for a haircut.”

He clenched his jaw. Laurence said nothing, just gave him a sharp nod and took a seat.

“Welcome to our branch, Mr. Barton, Ms. Harris.” Detective Richardson began smoothly. “I know we spoke a few times about this and I have all your paperwork ready.” He flipped open a few of the folders.

“You sounded different over the phone,” Laurence stated and Liam almost swallowed his tongue but Richardson handled it smoothly, not even batting an eye.

“I did?” He shrugged. “Strange. I guess these landlines need a tune-up.”

“And you are?” His aunt gave Ms. Chauhan a once-over in a way that was supposed to be intimidating but she didn’t know her enemy.

“The assistant manager. I’m here to oversee the process. As a witness.” She smiled and it was somehow both polite and ferocious, making Liam’s aunt frown and quickly look away, turning her focus on him.

“Liam, did you finally start taking classes? Or are you still at that restaurant?” She adjusted one of the many glittery rings that adorned her fingers. They were probably real gemstones, all bought with money she didn’t earn.

“It’s a catering hall, Aunt Diane.” He’d told her that many times. “And why do you ask?” He really wanted to saywhy do you carebecause she should have disappeared from his life long ago after robbing him of his inheritance. But, for some reason, she’d kept in touch. And those calls were mostly her berating his life choices and pushing him to start school, to get over his parents’ death. Was it because she felt guilty? Or was it because she wanted to keep a potential mark close in case he came into more fortune? Did she think he’d never figure it out? Maybe the calls were meant to drag him down, to keep him so low he’d never investigate, or maybe they were a fishing expedition, letting her gauge his suspicions. But that didn’t matter anymore because right now his aunt and Laurence were two mice heading straight into a trap.

“I’m allowed to care about my only nephew, Liam.” She’d said that before, but she was wrong. She wasn’t allowed to care about him. She wasn’t allowed to have anything to do with him. Not anymore. It was difficult to hold back his rage and he swallowed, staring out the window at Owen’s car again.

“The forms are ready.” Detective Richardson swung the paper around so it faced them, handing Laurence a pen. “We’ll have the executor sign first and then you, Ms. Harris.”

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